UEFA opens case against Roma for "DPR" symbols at arena

A flag of the so-called "Donbas People's Republic" was spotted at Stadio Olimpico arena in Rome during a Champions League Round of 16 game between Roma and Shakhtar on March 13, 2018.

uefa.org

UEFA's disciplinary inspector has launched a case against FC Roma over the symbols of the so-called "DPR" in the stadium stands, according to a UEFA response to Ukraine's request.

The response notes that the UEFA Disciplinary Committee will consider the issue on May 31, ffu.ua reported citing president of the Ukrainian Football Federation Andriy Pavelko.

"The Football Federation of Ukraine thanks UEFA for the prompt reaction and the start of hearings regarding the appearance in the stands of banned symbols of pro-Russian terrorist groups that are fighting against Ukraine in Donbas. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent further such incidents during games held under the auspices of FFU, UEFA and FIFA. We also hope that in the near future such symbols will be officially banned by FARE. We will not allow football to be used for propaganda of terrorism, extremism or discrimination," said Andriy Pavelko.

On March 29, the Football Federation of Ukraine sent an appeal to FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe, an organization fighting racism and xenophobia in European football) with the request to add to the list of symbols that are banned at football games those of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR."

Shakhtar Donetsk is a professional football club from Ukraine that has been displaced from its home city of Donetsk due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine launched in 2014. At the moment, Shakhtar plays its home games in Kharkiv.

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